MAY 1, 2014- Giving every child access to a quality pre-k education….
That’s the goal of a new coalition introduced this morning.
Co-chairs Nick Scott Jr. and Ronald DiNicola unveiled their “Pre-K for PA for NWPA Campaign.”
The non-partisan campaign is looking to improve and better access to pre-k learning opportunities for all children in Pennsylvania.
Scott says public funds in the commonwealth for pre-k are less than 20 percent and he says there is a need for more.
Scott and DiNicola have already gone before local stakeholders and plan to campaign for more community support in the upcoming weeks.
Read the full article on YourErie.com
Wilkes-Barre Times Leader: Report: County lags others in pre-k access
“Barely a third of children ages 3 and 4 in Luzerne County are enrolled in high-quality pre-kindergarten programs, according to a new report, leaving about 4,500 children without access to such programs.
Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children issued the report, titled “A Smart Choice for a Solid Start: The Case for Pre-k in PA,” touting the value of high quality pre school programs, a recurring theme with the advocacy group.
The report contends “a growing body of research shows that gains made by 4-year-olds in publicly supported pre-K programs lead to improved early literacy language and math skills entering kindergarten, reduced special-education placement through second grade, reduced grade repetition through eighth grade, and increased likelihood of high school graduation and college enrollment.””
Read the full story here.
Smart Talk from WTIF: “Kids for Cash” documentary and early education
“Later we’ll discuss another issue important to parents: early childhood education. Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children President and CEO Joan Benso and Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Pennsylvania State Director Bruce Clash will join us to discuss the new “Pre-K for PA” campaign and what the research says about early learning.
A new PPC report finds that 70 percent of the state’s 3 and 4 year old children don’t have access to high-quality pre-kindergarten programs. The numbers for some midstate counties are even higher.
Governor Corbett has proposed an 11.5 percent increase in “Pre-K Counts” funding in next year’s budget. We’ll ask our guests how much progress that investment would make toward the campaign’s goal of ensuring quality Pre-K access for all children.”
Listen to the full program here.
